You are correct. Where ever I go, whatever I do, there always seems to be a super naysayer. Obviously picking self employment has to be a smart choice. Your choice was a poor one. I often find people who pursue self employment and fail went into it with little planning or consideration and then try to bootstrap failure on the rest of the world. Another reason people don't do it. But there are many people who have made it work. I am often surprised.

I don't think anyone here is "lazy" or expects the world to provide for them. The fact is that in most European nations the expectations for work are much less. And vacation is much more. My employment is a ton of "down" time. 2 hours in the morning when hardly anything happens and 2 hours at night where nothing happens. Not sure why I have to stay and have face time.

Another suggestion for those who hate the drudgery... I once did temp work. I should have stayed with it. It would be like 8 or 12 weeks at a job, then a break then 8 or 12 weeks at a different job. It paid decently well and I got variety. I also could pick the jobs. The temp agencies LOVE dependable people.

I don't understand how anyone gets anything out of evening hours and weekends. Every evening I have chores that take up most of the time. (i get home at 7 if I am lucky and go to bed at 10) and weekend are pretty much the same... groceries; cleaning; wash; and various and sundry things I couldn't get done during the week. There is no real time to pursue anything on the weekends.. they are just there so I can prepare for the next work week.

Even working in something you have a passion in, for someone else, leads to Managers and management, interfering with your passion. I have a good job that I am passionate about but i often get pulled off due to managers who want statistical reports and management seeing my artistic job like a widget, when it just isn't.